Adjustable resiliency bedspring



pri 29, 3952 v. H. GOTTSCHALK ADJUSTABLE RESILIENCY BEDSPRING 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed March 22, 1948 IM/ENTOR. \/.H GOSCHOLK.

ATTCI RN EYS Patented Apr. 29, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

This invention relates to springs for beds and other furniture wherein springs of the spiral type are vertically positioned in or on a frame, f

and in particular the invention includes means for adjusting the tension of the springs either individually or collectively.

The purpose of this invention is to provide means particularly in a bed spring for adjusting the tension of the springs wherein the resiliency may be equalized over the entire area of the spring or the tension may be increased or decreased at certain points or over certain areas of the spring.

In the usual spring a plurality f spiral or helical spring units are mounted on a base frame andthe units are tied together so that they are held in substantially vertical positions and although the individual units are formed of wire of uniform size some usually have more compressive strength than others so that some will b yield more than others and lfor this reason some springs are uncomfortable. Also when springs are used in hospitals and particularly for orthopedie ailments it is desired to have some sections of the spring yield more than others.

With this thought in mind this invention contemplates a spring including a plurality of spiral spring units mounted on a frame wherein each unit is provided with an adjusting screw for regulating the tension therein.

The object of this invention is, therefore, to provide means for mounting a plurality of spiral "springs in a frame so that each spring may -be adjusted individually or as a group to increase or decrease the tension therein.

Another object of the invention is to provide a spring having a plurality of units mounted on a frame wherein the distance of the outer end of each unit from the frame may readily be adjusted.

A further object of the invention is to provide a spring formed with aplurality of individual spring umts wherein the tension of each unit Vmay readily be adjusted, which is of a simple and economical construction.

With these and other objects and advantages in view the invention consists of the new and novel combination, construction and arrangement of parts as hereinafter more fully described, set forth in the claims appended hereto, and disclosed in the accompanying drawings, forming part hereof, wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view looking downward upon the upper surface of the complete spring unit.

,Figure 2 is a detail on an enlarged scale showing a section through the spring illustrating two of the spring units on an enlarged scale, and with parts broken away.

i Figure 3 is a sectional plan taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2 showing the sprockets and chain for adjusting the spring units, and also with part broken away.

Figure 4 is a section similar to that shown in Figure 2 with parts omitted and parts broken away showing a crank for actuating the chain by which the units are adjusted.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts the improved spring of this invention includes a base frame formed with side bars I0 and II. ends I2 and I3, and cross bars I4, and spiral spring units I5 held in compression between cupshaped caps I6 and similarly shaped washers I1 forming spring seats. Y

v The washers I1 are rotatably mounted on pins I8 at the upper ends of adjusting screws I9, as shown in Figure 4, with the washers resting on shoulders 2|! and held by pins 2|. The caps I6 are mounted on the upper ends of the springs 'and these are suspended at predetermined distances from the frame by chains 22 and 23 with the' upper ends of the chains held in ears 24 and 25 on the sides of the caps, and the lower ends held in slots 2B in the bars of the frame. The slots 26 are provided with enlarged ends 21 through which the chains may pass to adjust the positions of the caps.

The adjusting screws I9 are threaded in hubs 28 of sprockets 29 which are rotatably mounted in openings 30 in the bars of the frame, and an endless chain 3| is trained around the sprockets land also around an operating sprocket 32 which is rotatably mounted in an opening 33 in the `frame through a hub 34 and the sprocket is pro- ,notches therein and latches 4I are pivotally `mounted in bearings 42 on the bars of the spring lframe with pins 43, as shown in Figure 2.

. The caps I6 may also be provided with ears 44 at the sides so that the upper ends of the springs may be tied together both laterally and longitudinally in order to retain the springs in spaced vupright positions.

iwan the chains al trained around the sprockets as illustrated in Figure l the adjusting screws I9 by which the springs below the caps I 6 are adjusted are provided with right hand threads whereas the adjusting screws positioned below the caps 6 are provided with left hand threads, and by this means all screws will b e rotated by the endless chain to increase tension in the spring when the crank 35 is turned in one direction, and to reduce tension in the spring when the crank is turned in the opposite direction.

With the parts arranged in this manner all of the springs may be adjusted simultaneously by the crank 35 or each spring may be adjusted independently by turning the adjusting screws manually in the sprockets by the heads 39.

It will also be understood that modifications may be made in the design and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimedl is:

1. lIn an adjustable tension spring assembly, the combination which comprises a substantially flat frame with spaced openings therethrough, sprockets with internally threaded vhubs journaled in said openings of the frame', adjusting screws threaded in the hubs of the sprockets, spring seats carried by the adjusting screws, springs positioned on said spring seats, caps carriedby the springs, means adjustably connecting the caps to the frame independently, a crank actuated sprocket journaled in the frame, and a chain trained over the sprockets on the adjusting screws and crank actuated sprocket-for adjusting the tension of the springs.

'2. In an adjustable tension spring assembly, the combination which comprises a substantially flat frame withspaced sockets therein and with openings through the sockets, sprockets with internally threaded hubs journaled in said -screws and crank actuated sprocket :for turning the sprockets to adjust the tension on the springs, and latches with vertically disposed arms pivotally mounted on the frame and positioned to engage the notches of the heads of the adjusting screws for -holding the adjusting screws as the sprockets are rotated, said latches adapted to be actuated to withdraw the arms from the notches for independent adjustment of the screws.

3. In a spring structure for beds and the like, a base frame, a plurality of spiral springs extended perpendicularly from the frame, means adjustably retaining the ends of the springs extended away from the frame in spaced relation to the frame, sprockets journaled in sockets positioned in the frame and aligned with the springs, adjusting screws having spring seats on the ends also aligned with the springs and threaded in the sprockets, a continuous chain trained over the sprockets, means holding the adjusting screws for preventing rotation of the screws as the screws are vertically adjusted by rotation of the sprockets, and means actuating the chain to rotate the sprockets.

4. In a spring structure for beds and the like, the combination which comprises a base frame, a plurality of spiral springs extended perpendicularly from the frame, caps positioned on the ends of the springs extended away from the frame, chains extended from the caps and adjustably connected to the frame for holding the springs in spaced relation to the frame, sprockets rotatably mounted in the frame below the springs, adjusting screws threaded in the sprockets, and having cup-shape washers mounted thereon for holding the ends of the springs adjacent the frame, a crank actuated sprocket rotatably mounted in the frame, a chain trained over the sprockets on the adjusting screws and crank, latches engaging the adjusting screws preventing rotation of the screws as the screws are vertically adjusted by rotation of the sprockets thereon, and means locking the crank actuated sprocket.

VICTOR H. GOTTSCHALK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

Germany July 7, 1879 

